LEPC (KDEM-S3)
As part of the state and local structure for planning response to an accidental or unplanned release of a hazardous substance, Section 30l(b) of the "Superfund Amendments and Reauthorization Act of 1986" (SARA, Title III) requires the State Emergency Response Commission (SERC) to designate emergency planning districts to facilitate preparation and implementation of emergency plans.
In accordance with K.S.A. 65-5703(f), the SERC, with approval by the Secretary of Health and Environment and the Adjutant General, has designated local emergency planning districts. Each county has been designated as a local planning district. The federal and state statutes require the SERC to appoint a Local Emergency Planning Committee (LEPC) for each emergency planning district.
Membership
Section 301(c) of the federal law stipulates membership of each LEPC shall include, at a minimum, a representative from each of the following groups or organizations: (1) Elected officials: state, local (2) Law enforcement (3) Civil defense: emergency preparedness, management (4) Fire fighting: volunteer &/ paid (5) First aid: EMT, EMS, Red Cross (6) Health/medicine: community, county (7) Environment: air, water pollution control (8) Hospital: Public, private (9) Transportation: passenger, freight, highway, rail, pipeline, air, public, private (10) Communications media: print, broadcast (11) Community: service/civic) groups (12) Facility or industry: owner/ operator regulated by SARA, Title III.
Administration
The federal law specifies each LEPC shall: appoint a chairperson; establish rules to govern its functions; establish procedures for receiving and processing information requests from the public [Section 301.(c)]; complete preparation of an emergency response plan; review the plan at least annually; evaluate the need for resources to exercise and implement the plan; make recommendations for required additional resources; recommend the means for providing such additional resources; and submit the plan and any revisions to the State Emergency Response Commission (Section 303).
Rules to govern the functions of each LEPC shall include procedures for: notifying the public of LEPC activities; conducting public meetings; receiving and responding to public comments; and distributing the emergency response plan. To receive and process information requests from the public, the federal law further specifies each LEPC shall: designate an official to serve as coordinator for information; and annually publish a notice in local newspapers that the emergency response plan, material safety data sheets, inventory forms, toxic chemical release forms and follow up emergency notices are available for public inspection at a specified location during designated normal working hours.
